U.S. patent number 8,092,353 [Application Number 12/822,014] was granted by the patent office on 2012-01-10 for apparatus and system for a fitness stick.
Invention is credited to Michael Grech, Li Si Yang.
United States Patent |
8,092,353 |
Yang , et al. |
January 10, 2012 |
Apparatus and system for a fitness stick
Abstract
An apparatus and system are disclosed for a fitness stick. The
apparatus includes an elongated rod having a center point, a first
end, and a second end. The apparatus also includes a first track
connected with the rod and extending helically away from the center
point along an outer surface of the elongated rod toward the first
end, and a second track connected with the rod and extending
helically away from the center point along an outer surface of the
elongated rod toward the second end. Any point along the second
track is reflectively symmetrical to a corresponding point on the
first track about a central plane extending through the center
point and orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the elongated rod.
The system includes the apparatus, first and second hand-slides,
and a resistance band coupling the first hand-slide with the second
hand-slide.
Inventors: |
Yang; Li Si (Honolulu, HI),
Grech; Michael (Honolulu, HI) |
Family
ID: |
43354850 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/822,014 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100323858 A1 |
Dec 23, 2010 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61219675 |
Jun 23, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/115;
482/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/4035 (20151001); A63B 21/0552 (20130101); A63B
23/12 (20130101); A63B 23/1209 (20130101); A63B
2210/50 (20130101); A63B 23/03533 (20130101); A63B
2023/006 (20130101); A63B 23/03541 (20130101); A63B
21/06 (20130101); A63B 21/0004 (20130101); A63B
21/0428 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
21/015 (20060101); A63B 21/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;482/44-51,74,91-94,97-98,106-110,114-116,118-119,121-122,124,126-128,131-132,139,148
;D21/662,672,674,679-682,684,692-693 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point?show=0&t=1300922030,
definition of "point". cited by examiner .
PCT/US2010/039693 International Search Report and Written Opinion,
Feb. 24, 2011. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Crow; Stephen
Assistant Examiner: Ginsberg; Oren
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kunzler Needham Massey &
Thorpe
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/219,675 entitled "APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD
FOR A FITNESS STICK" and filed on Jun. 23, 2009 for Li Si Yang,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for a fitness stick, the apparatus comprising: an
elongated rod having a center point, a first end, and a second end;
a first track connected with the rod and extending helically away
from the center point along an outer surface of the elongated rod
toward the first end; a second track connected with the rod and
extending helically away from the center point along the outer
surface of the elongated rod toward the second end; wherein any
point along the second track is reflectively symmetrical to a
corresponding point on the first track about a central plane
extending through the center point and orthogonal to a longitudinal
axis of the elongated rod; and a first hand-slide having an
attachment device, a hand grip, and a track guide.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment device slidably
couples the first hand-slide to the elongated rod.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the track guide is formed
having a shape selected to engage the first track and maintain the
first hand-slide in the same rotational orientation as the first
track about the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second hand-slide
having an attachment device, a hand grip, and a track guide.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the attachment device of the
second hand-slide slidably couples the second hand-slide to the
elongated rod.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the track guide of the second
hand-slide is formed having a shape selected to engage the second
track and maintain the second hand-slide in the same rotational
orientation as the first track about the longitudinal axis of the
elongated rod.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a resistance band
having a first end coupled with the first hand-slide and a second
end coupled with the second hand-slide.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated rod is formed of
at least two sections, the sections rigidly couplable to form the
elongated rod.
9. A system for a fitness stick, the system comprising: an
elongated rod having a center point, a first end, and a second end;
a first track connected with the rod and extending helically away
from the center point along an outer surface of the elongated rod
toward the first end; a second track connected with the rod and
extending helically away from the center point along the outer
surface of the elongated rod toward the second end; wherein any
point along the second track is reflectively symmetrical to a
corresponding point on the first track about a central plane
extending through the center point and orthogonal to a longitudinal
axis of the elongated rod; first and second hand-slides each having
an attachment device, a hand grip, and a track guide; and a
resistance band having a first end coupled with the first
hand-slide and a second end coupled with the second hand-slide.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the attachment device slidably
couples one of the first and second hand-slides to the elongated
rod.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the track guide is formed having
a shape selected to engage one of the first and second tracks and
maintain one of the first and second hand-slides in the same
rotational orientation as one of the first and second tracks about
the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the elongated rod is formed of
at least two sections, the sections rigidly couplable to form the
elongated rod.
13. An apparatus for a fitness stick, the apparatus comprising: an
elongated rod having a center point, a first end, and a second end;
a first track connected with the rod and extending helically away
from the center point along an outer surface of the elongated rod
toward the first end; a second track connected with the rod and
extending helically away from the center point along the outer
surface of the elongated rod toward the second end; wherein any
point along the second track is reflectively symmetrical to a
corresponding point on the first track about a central plane
extending through the center point and orthogonal to a longitudinal
axis of the elongated rod; wherein the elongated rod is formed of
at least two sections, the sections rigidly couplable to form the
elongated rod; and a first hand-slide having an attachment device,
a hand grip, and a track guide.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second tracks
are formed in the surface of the elongated rod, each track having a
cross-sectional profile selected to engage the track guide.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second tracks
are embedded into the surface of the elongated rod and each is
formed of a magnetic material selected to engage a ferromagnetic
material.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second tracks
are configured as teeth embedded in the surface of the elongated
rod, the teeth selected to engage corresponding gears in the track
guide.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a second
hand-slide having an attachment device, a hand grip, and a track
guide; and a resistance band having a first end coupled with the
first hand-slide and a second end coupled with the second
hand-slide.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second tracks
are embedded into the surface of the elongated rod, each track
having a cross-sectional profile selected to engage the finger of a
user.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates to exercise devices, and more particularly
relates to a fitness stick for promoting proper form during
physical exercise.
BACKGROUND
People exercise for a variety of reasons including strengthening
muscles and the cardiovascular system, improving athletic
abilities, weight loss, or merely for enjoyment or entertainment.
Exercise also helps increase self-esteem by improving an
individual's perception of their body.
Exercise can generally be grouped into three broad categories based
on the overall effect they have on the body. The three groups are
flexibility exercises, aerobic exercises, and anaerobic exercises.
An individual's training regimen will combine exercises from each
group according to the individual's goals. For example, a person
training for a marathon will focus more on aerobic exercises than a
weight lifter. Regardless of the goal, proper form is critical.
Form is a specific way of performing an exercise to avoid injury
and increase strength. The lack of proper form will result in
injury and furthermore reduces the desired effectiveness of the
exercise. For example, many exercises are designed to target a
specific group of muscles. The lack of proper form leads to the
body utilizing secondary muscle groups and reducing the desired
effectiveness of the exercise.
Proper form is also important in non-strength training exercises.
For example, it is easy when doing yoga to make a mistake with even
the most basic poses. This can lead to strains, sprains, and
chronic aches. Therefore, it is important that a person practice
proper form regardless of the type of exercise to minimize injury
and maximize the desired effect.
SUMMARY
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need
exists for an apparatus and system that helps an exerciser maintain
proper form throughout an entire range of motion.
The present disclosure has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available devices. Accordingly, the present disclosure
has been developed to overcome many or all of the above-discussed
shortcomings in the art.
The apparatus is provided with an elongated rod having a center
point, a first end, and a second end. The apparatus also includes a
first track connected with the rod and extending helically away
from the center point along an outer surface of the elongated rod
toward the first end, and a second track connected with the rod and
extending helically away from the center point along an outer
surface of the elongated rod toward the second end. Any point along
the second track is reflectively symmetrical to a corresponding
point on the first track about a central plane extending through
the center point and orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the
elongated rod.
The apparatus also includes a first hand-slide having an attachment
device, a hand grip, and a track guide. The attachment device
slidably couples the first hand-slide to the elongated rod. The
track guide is formed having a shape selected to engage the first
track and maintain the first hand-slide in the same rotational
orientation as the first track about the longitudinal axis of the
elongated rod. The apparatus also includes a second hand-slide that
is similar to the above described first hand-slide.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a resistance band having
a first end coupled with the first hand-slide and a second end
coupled with the second hand-slide. In a further embodiment, the
elongated rod is formed of at least two sections. The sections are
rigidly couplable to form the elongated rod.
The system, in one embodiment, includes an elongated rod having a
center point, a first end, and a second end, a first track
extending helically away from the center point along an outer
surface of the elongated rod toward the first end, a second track
connected with the rod and extending helically away from the center
point along an outer surface of the elongated rod toward the second
end, first and second hand-slides, and a resistance band coupling
the first and second hand-slides.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes the elongated rod,
first and second tracks, and at least two elongated sections
rigidly couplable to form the elongated rod. In this embodiment,
the tracks are formed in the surface of the elongated rod, each
track having a cross-sectional profile selected to engage a track
guide. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second tracks
are embedded into the surface of the elongated rod and each is
formed of a magnetic material selected to engage a ferromagnetic
material. Alternatively, the first and second tracks are configured
as teeth embedded in the surface of the elongated rod, the teeth
selected to engage corresponding gears in a track guide. In another
alternative embodiment, the first and second tracks are embedded
into the surface of the elongated rod, each track having a
cross-sectional profile selected to engage the finger of a
user.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or
similar language does not imply that all of the features and
advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should
be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather,
language referring to the features and advantages is understood to
mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic
described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the
features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this
specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same
embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the disclosure.
These features and advantages of the present disclosure will become
more fully apparent from the following description and appended
claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set
forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily
understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly
described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a fitness stick;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of the fitness
stick;
FIG. 3 illustrates a detachable hand grip;
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cross section of the fitness
stick equipped with two tracks;
FIG. 5 illustrates a hand-slide equipped with two track guides;
FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a cross section of the fitness
stick equipped with a magnetic track;
FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a cross section of the fitness
stick equipped with a gear track;
FIG. 6c is a perspective view of a cross section of the fitness
stick equipped with a finger track;
FIG. 7a illustrates a hand-slide equipped with a magnetic
slider;
FIG. 7b illustrates a hand-slide equipped with a gear slider;
FIG. 8 illustrates the fitness stick equipped with a resistance
mechanism; and
FIG. 9 illustrates the collapsibility of the fitness stick.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment,"
"in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this
specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics
of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided to offer a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize, however, that the disclosure may be practiced without
one or more of the specific details, or with other methods,
components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known
structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in
detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a fitness stick 100. The
fitness stick 100 facilitates a series of exercises while helping
the exerciser maintain correct form. Also, the fitness stick helps
users stretch and move their body through a full range of motion,
thereby improving a user's lifestyle. In certain embodiments, the
fitness stick 100 may comprise an elongated rod 102, tracks 104a
and 104b, and hand-slides 106a, 106b.
The elongated rod 102 is a lengthened shaft of rigid material. For
example, the elongated rod 102 may be a cylindrical wooden rod with
a diameter in the range of between about 1 and 3 inches. In one
embodiment, the diameter of the elongated rod is about 13/8 inches
(3.49 cm). The elongated rod has a length of about two yards (1.82
m). The elongated rod 102 may comprise any length or diameter. For
instance, a manufacturer of the elongated rod 102 may customize the
diameter and length to match the preferences of a particular
exerciser. A taller user may require a longer elongated rod 102,
while a user with small hands may require an elongated rod 102 with
a smaller diameter.
Further, the elongated rod 102 may be formed of any rigid material.
In other words, the elongated rod 102 may be manufactured from
wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like. Also,
the elongated rod 102 has a weight selected according to a user's
specification. For example, a user may desire a heavier rod to
increase muscular resistance during exercising.
In certain embodiments, the fitness stick 100 includes tracks
104a-b. The tracks 104a-b are formed by grooves that extend away
from the longitudinal center of the elongated rod 102. The term
"tracks," as used herein, refers to a longitudinally-running
indentation or channel in the surface of the elongated rod 102.
Further, the tracks 104a-b may spiral around the longitudinal axis
of the elongated rod 102 as the tracks 104a-b extend away from the
center of the elongated rod 102.
In one embodiment, the track 104a may begin at a specified starting
point near the center of the elongated rod 102. The track 104a ends
at a specified ending point near the end of the elongated rod 102,
where the ending point is on the same side of the elongated rod 102
as the starting point. The starting point is also closer to the
center of the elongated rod 102 than the ending point. In certain
embodiments, the starting point may be the same as the center point
of the elongated rod 102. In a further embodiment, the ending point
may be one end of the elongated rod 102.
In at least one embodiment, the track 104b is reflectively
symmetrical with the track 104a about a plane extending through the
center of the elongated rod 102 and orthogonal to the longitudinal
axis of the elongated rod 102. In other words, a point lying on the
track 104a has the same coordinates in a plane orthogonal to the
longitudinal axis as a point lying on the track 104b. The points on
the track 104a lie the same distance from the center point along
the longitudinal axis as the points on the track 104b but in an
opposite direction from the center point along the longitudinal
axis. In an alternative embodiment, the track 104b, after
reflecting the track 104a through the plane, may be rotationally
offset around the longitudinal axis.
In certain embodiments, hand-slides 106a-b may fasten to the
elongated rod 102. The term "hand-slides," as used herein, refers
to a slidable mechanism that permits a user to grasp the elongated
rod 102 at specific locations. Further, the hand-slides 106a-b may
rotate around the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod 102 at the
same rotational rate as the tracks 104a-b. The hand-slides 106a-b
may maintain the same rotational orientation as the tracks 104a-b
by extending a guide into the tracks 104a-b. The guide prevents the
hand-slides 106a-b from rotating about the elongated rod but allows
the hand-slides to move along the longitudinal axis of the
elongated rod 102. By grasping the hand-slides 106a-b, a user can
maintain the center point of the elongated rod 102 at the same
position between their hands, while keeping their hands at the same
rotational position.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section 200 of the elongated rod 102
according to one embodiment. The cross section 200 may comprise a
track 204 and the elongated rod 102. According to one embodiment,
the track 204 may run at a slight angle in relation to the
longitudinal axis of the elongated rod 102. The angle of the track
may comprise any pitch that requires the hand grips to be at
mirrored locations about the center plane of the elongated rod 102.
For example, the track 204 may only revolve around the elongated
rod 102 once. By going around the elongated rod only once, every
rotational position on one side of the center point of the
elongated rod 102 is unique. Therefore, when an exerciser uses a
hand-slide, their hands are always located at mirrored locations
about the center plane of the elongated rod 102.
The track 204, in one embodiment, revolves around the elongated rod
102 multiple times. For example, the track 204 may encircle the
elongated rod two times. The number of revolutions that the track
204 revolves around the elongated rod 102 is selected according to
a user's preferences.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view diagram illustrating a hand-slide 306.
The hand-slide in FIG. 3 includes a track guide 302, and attaching
surfaces 304a-b. In at least one embodiment, the hand-slide 306 is
formed from fabric. In a further embodiment, the hand-slide 306 may
be made from plastic, metal, leather, and the like.
In certain embodiments, the hand-slide 306 may comprise a track
guide 302. The track guide 302 is a thicker portion of the
hand-slide 306 that is contoured to engage the track 204. By
engaging the track 204, the track guide 302 prevents the hand-slide
from rotating around the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod 102
unless the hand-slide 306 moves longitudinally along the track 204.
When the hand-slide 306 moves longitudinally along the track 204,
the hand-slide 306 may rotate around the longitudinal axis of the
elongated rod 102 at the same rate that the track 204 rotates
around the longitudinal axis of the elongated rod 102.
The track guide 302, for example, comprises a pouch attached to the
hand-slide 306. The pouch may contain any material that helps it
maintain a shape that matches the shape of the track 204. For
example, beans may fill the pouch. Alternatively, the pouch may
contain sand, beads, paper, plastic, and the like. In a further
embodiment, the track guide 302 is formed of a molded piece of
material shaped to fill the track 104. The molded material may
comprise plastic, metal, wood, and the like.
In certain embodiments, the hand-slide 306 detaches from the
elongated rod 102. When the hand-slide 306 detaches from the
elongated rod 102, the hand-slide 306 may include attachable
surfaces 304a-b. The attachable surface 304a engages the attachable
surface 304b. The attachable surfaces 304a-b may attach to one
another with hook and loop fasteners, buckles, zippers, laces,
buttons, and the like. In at least one embodiment, where the track
204 extends to the end of the elongated rod 102, the hand-slide 306
may detach by sliding off the end of the elongated rod 102.
In a further embodiment, the hand-slide 306 is not detachable from
the elongated rod 102. In this embodiment, the hand-slide 306 is
manufactured from any material as outlined above. In one
embodiment, the hand-slide 306 may be molded from a material such
as plastic or metal. Further, the hand-slide 306 comprises a
gripping surface applied to the hand-slide, the gripping surface
aides a user in grasping the hand-slide 306 more effectively.
FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the elongated rod 102 having a
plurality of tracks on each side of the center point of the
elongated rod 102. In certain embodiments, the elongated rod 102
may comprise the tracks 402a-b. The tracks 402a-b may rotate at the
same rotational rate around the elongated rod 102. The tracks
402a-b run parallel to one another along the elongated rod 102.
Further, the track 402a may lie on the opposite side of the
elongated rod 102 from the track 402b. In another embodiment, the
track 402a and the track 402b may lie at any position around the
circumference of the elongated rod 102. For example, the
circumference of the elongated rod 102 may be five inches.
The center of the track 402a may lie one inch along the
circumference of the elongated rod 102 from the center of track
402b. In other words, the distance between the two tracks, taken
along the circumference of the rod, is a constant one inch.
Alternatively, the center of the track 402a may lie 2.5 inches away
from the center of the track 402b along the circumference of the
elongated rod 102. Further, in at least one embodiment, the center
of the track 402a may lie 1.6 inches away from the center of the
track 402b along the circumference of the elongated rod 102, and
the center of the track 402b may lie 1.7 inches away from the
center of a third track along the circumference of the elongated
rod 102. The tracks may run parallel to one another throughout
their length.
FIG. 5 illustrates a hand-slide designed to slide on an elongated
rod 102 with multiple tracks as shown in FIG. 4. The hand-slide 500
may comprise an attaching surface 504a and an attaching surface
504b, where the attaching surfaces 504a-b function similarly to the
attaching surfaces 304a-b in FIG. 3. Further, the hand-slide may
comprise the track guides 502a-b, where the track guides function
similarly to the track guide 302 in FIG. 3. The track guides 502a-b
may fit into the locations of multiple tracks as described in
relation to FIG. 4. For example, when two tracks rotate around the
elongated rod 102, the track guides 502a-b may fill in the two
different tracks. The hand-slide 500 may comprise a number of track
guides 502 which correspond to the number of tracks rotating around
the elongated rod 102.
In a further embodiment, FIGS. 6a-c and 7a-b illustrate alternative
embodiments of the track along with corresponding hand-slides.
FIGS. 6a-c illustrate tracks on an elongated rod according to
various embodiments, while FIGS. 7a-b illustrate hand-slides
according to various embodiments.
FIG. 6a shows an elongated rod 602a equipped with a magnetic track
604a. The magnetic track 604a spirals around the elongated rod 602a
similarly to the way that the track 102a in FIG. 1 spirals around
the elongated rod 102. The magnetic track 604a may comprise a metal
attracted by a magnet, a magnetic material, a mixture of metal and
magnetic material, and the like. Further, the magnetic track 604a
may extend away from the elongated rod 602a, be embedded into the
surface of the elongated rod 602a, be contained in a protective
case, and the like.
Similarly, FIG. 7a shows a hand-slide 706a equipped with a magnetic
slider 704a. The magnetic slider 704a may slide along the surface
of the magnetic track 604a, spiraling around the elongated rod 602a
at the same rate that the magnetic track 604a spirals around the
elongated rod 602a. The magnetic slider 704a, in one embodiment, is
a series of magnets attached to the hand-slide 706a. For example, a
series of molybdenum magnets may be sown into a fabric hand-slide
706a at a pitch that matches the pitch of the magnetic track 604a.
In certain embodiments, the magnetic slider 704a may comprise one
solid magnet, a series of magnets, a metal attracted by magnets,
and the like. In another embodiment, the magnets may be arranged to
provide resistance against sliding, to increase exertion during a
workout.
FIG. 6b shows an elongated rod 602b equipped with a gear track
604b. The gear track 604b spirals around the elongated rod 602b in
a manner similar to the track 102a of FIG. 1. The gear track 604b
may comprise a series of small grooves designed to receive gear
teeth. Further, the teeth of the gear track 604b may be
indentations in the wood, inlaid metal, and the like.
FIG. 7b shows a hand-slide 706b equipped with a gear slider 704b.
The gear slider may comprise a series of rotating gears that engage
the gear track 604b. The gears in the gear slider 704b may rotate
as the gear teeth move through the gear track 604b. As the
hand-slide 706b moves along the surface of the elongated rod 602b,
the hand-slide 706b may spiral around the elongated rod 602b at the
same rate that the gear track 604b spirals around the elongated rod
602b. In certain embodiments, the gear slider 704b may comprise
gears manufactured from plastic, metal, wood, ceramic, and the
like.
FIG. 6c shows an elongated rod 602c equipped with a finger track
604c. The finger track 604c spirals around the elongated rod 602c
similarly to the way that the track 102a in FIG. 1 spirals around
the elongated rod 102. The finger track 604c may comprise a groove
that is contoured to allow a human finger to slide through the
track, removing the need for a hand-slide. Further, to allow
fingers to slide through the finger track 604c, the finger track
604c may be inlaid with a friction reducing material, including
wax, polished metal, plastic, polished wood, and the like.
FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the hand-slide,
particularly when resistance inhibits the motion of the hand-slides
along the elongated rod 102. In FIG. 8, the hand-slides 106a-b
further comprise a resistance band fastener 806. Also, a resistance
band 804 may connect the hand-slide 106a to the hand-slide
106b.
In certain embodiments, the resistance band fastener 806 may
comprise a mechanism that secures the resistance band 804 to the
hand-slides 106a-b. For example, the resistance band 804 may attach
to the hand-slides 106a-b with hooks, hook and loop fasteners,
notches, snaps, and the like. In at least one embodiment, the
resistance band may permanently connect to the hand-slides 106a-b.
In this embodiment, the resistance band fastener 806 may comprise a
molded connection point that connects to the resistance band 804.
In another embodiment, the hand-slides 106a-b may connect to other
forms of resistance. For example, the resistance bands may connect
to a cable pulley system, where the cable pulley system connects to
weight resistance. The hand-slides may connect to other forms of
resistance including a plurality of resistance bands, bendable
rods, and the like.
FIG. 9 shows that the fitness stick may separate into different
sections for storage and transportation. For example, the fitness
stick 900 may comprise elongated rods 902a-b, a male rod fastener
904, a female rod fastener 906, and tracks 104a-b. The tracks
104a-b function as identified above.
In certain embodiments, the fitness stick 900 may detach into two
separate pieces, an elongated rod 902a and an elongated rod 902b.
The elongated rod 902a may comprise a male rod fastener 904 and the
elongated rod 902b may comprise a female rod fastener 906. The
elongated rod 902a may connect to the elongated rod 902b. To
connect the elongated rods 902a-b, the male rod fastener 904 may
fit into the female rod fastener 906. The male rod fastener 904 and
the female rod fastener may connect in different ways, including
threaded fasteners, sockets, and the like. When the elongated rod
902a connects to the elongated rod 902b, the tracks 104a-b must be
reflectively symmetrical as previously described.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is,
therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning
and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within
their scope.
* * * * *
References